The story centers on a group of witches who fled Salem before the infamous trials and have continued their secretive lives for centuries in New Orleans, where they encounter the voodoo culture.

Lange plays the "supreme" role, with Paulson cast as her daughter. Bassett plays the historical character of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Bates portrays another historical figure, serial killer Marie Delphine LaLauri (Madame LaLaurie). Part of the plot will pit Lange and her coven against the voodoo witches, as well as the non-witches.

LuPone portrays Joan Ramsey, a religious next-door neighbor, who will go up against Lange and Paulson. The two-time Tony winner makes her first appearance in the Oct. 23 episode.

Here's how the first episode is described: "A young girl, Zoe, is shattered to discover she possesses a strange genetic affliction tracing back to the dark days of Salem. Zoe is whisked away to Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, a mysterious school in New Orleans devoted to safeguarding the few remaining descendants who share this unique bloodline. Harboring a secret agenda, Fiona Goode, the most powerful witch of their generation, returns to town, reigniting old rivalries with the Coven's deadly enemies, the Voodoo."